Pedernales Falls Camping Trip

Now honestly, who goes camping in February!?

We took a little trip with some friends of ours the Bedwell's to a camping spot at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Obviously you can tell from the pictures that the water level wasn't very high- being winter and all, but it was still really pretty there.
And props to LaNan for camping while being several months pregnant!!!Danelle did awesome camping! She LOVES being outdoors these days and was perfectly fine sleeping outside (in a tent). She must get this from her Dad or something :)

Just the 8 of us...

We've had some visitors staying with us the last while- the Waite's that Lane knew from over in Saudi. (They have twin girls about Danelle's age and a 4 year old)

We got to tour the University of Texas campus (Bryan is a HUGE UT fan to say the least) He almost has Lane considering a MBA there...

The girls liked coming up to Lane's (almost done) office doors and hanging out. Well, Danelle not so much... she does still have her cute leggies though!

On our tour of campus...




Valentine's Day Danelle got a cute new dress and chocolates! (thank you for sending that!)And then later that night a candlelit romantic BBQ with a big ol' group of Lane and Bryan's buddies! 8 adults and 4 kids! Danelle sure looked cute in her heart sweater!!!

Hood Rat

Child Proof

Really now..... Who taught my 13 month old to climb stoves?
Are 1 year old babies supposed to be able to do pull ups? I know I can't.

Luckily I had just removed the knobs. That's my girl. Always taking time out of her busy mischievous work for a photo op.

Padre Island

This week we decided to take a trip down to the beach. It's only about a 3 hour drive to get to Corpus Christi and Padre Island, definitely worth it when you need a little break from the "winter weather" ;) We did a visit to the aquarium while there too and Danelle loved it and the weather was perfect. She just might be ready for Sea World in San Antonio...
Checking out our room with a view.This one is for cousin Dietrich, the Pirate fan. (This was actually a replica of the Nina, one of Christopher Columbus' ships- a lot smaller than you imagined huh!)
On our way to dinner at Landry's- such good seafood! Danelle liked walking "the planks".
Playing at the pool.
The aquarium was right on the water so it had a gorgeous view.
Danelle's favorite was the dolphin show.
Somehow I came up with a shot that looks like Danelle is getting a dolphin kiss ;) down in the underwater viewing room.

Danelle "FEEDING" the very large fish.
She didn't like the sand at first- this was her first time at the beach after all.
Then Lane persuaded her to check out the water...
And then she was off exploring all on her own. She loved the beach, and so did we! Not bad for the gulf of Mexico I must say!

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Before: Cute little pigtail antennas...
(day) After: Moose antlers.

From House to Home

We've been doing quite a few house projects as of lately. Lane is putting in french doors to his office (to help keep Danelle), I have been doing lots of sewing (pillows, curtains, seat cushions, etc.) and Danelle has been keeping busy trying to help with our projects.
Before:Semi- After, it's not done yet, but he is putting some pretty windows up above too.
The seat cushion I made, to go on the bench Lane made. Oh, and don't worry, he also made the bookcase, remember from here. I found these magnetic chalkboards at Pottery Barn Kids- cute huh!The faux roman shades that I made... and the molding/paint job that Lane and I worked on (bad lighting sorry if it's hard to see it).

Mt. Bonnell

I have a list of a couple of things I want to do in Texas, and this was one of them! The view from the top was beautiful.


You could see downtown from one side, and the lake from the other.

And yes, people are still out with their boats...in January... (it was in the 70's).

One more from Colorado...

So many things to catch up with on the blog, but for now here's another pic from the trip.

Lane's Dad (who skied 4 days in a row!!!), Lane Jr., me and Max (brother in law) taking the picture.

Colorado Ski Trip-Rocky Mountain High!

Ok NOW, we are done with all of our Holiday Travels...yeah and it's only January 14th! We've had a lot of fun doing so much traveling, but I think I speak for Danelle and Lane when I say we are all glad to be back in our own beds and not living out of a suitcase!

Lane's family decided to do their Christmas up in Colorado and so they rented a house and let us all go Skiing/Snowboarding while the kids were babysat by them! Brilliant right!? And it just so happens I have a snowboard and all the gear...

Danelle loved hanging out with grandparents, all the aunts, uncles and cousins- her and Dietrich got a long really well! This is them hanging out in the "Pirates Cove"
Opening Christmas presents- they were a pretty good team!
Well, she did get a little distracted... this is a pretty common occurrence around here lately...how do I keep her from eating paper all the time!?!
My brother-in law has some ski pictures so I'll have to get them from him, but here's a shot of the gorgeous view... this makes me love snowboarding that much more! We couldn't have asked for better weather!Lane and I took a hike up to Adam's Falls and it was quite peaceful with the snow falling and the beautiful mountains.
This is on a drive, checking out Lane's old house where he grew up in and all the places he would hunt and fish.

The deer that he missed. ;) kidding
After his family left on Friday we stayed till Monday with my friend Tracie and did some more visits and sightseeing. This is at Garden of the Gods. I love how it will snow, but then clear up and there will be blue skies and warm weather- I love Colorado!Danelle decked out in her "ASPEN Style" ski outfit.

Thanks Tracie for letting us stay with you! I hope Brooke wasn't too traumatized having Danelle terrorize her all weekend!
*sorry I only had a picture of us first thing in the morning!

New Year's Traditions

These are our "new" New Year's Traditions! We started to have crab legs for New Years Eve back in PA with some friends of ours the past couple of years, and decided to keep it going.

On New Years Day we decided to start doing fondue (how can you not when you husband has access to so many wonderful cheeses). We just got one of these babies, and what better way to start off the new year (and good eating) than with melted cheese, and chocolate dipped sweets!